Houston Dynamo forward Romell Quioto (12) and forward Mauro Manotas (19) miss a pass during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Romell Quioto (12) and forward Mauro Manotas (19) miss a pass during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (7) guards Minnesota United midfielder Johan Venegas (11) as Venegas is moving the ball down the field during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo midfielder DaMarcus Beasley (7) guards Minnesota United midfielder Johan Venegas (11) as Venegas is moving the ball down the field during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo players and fans celebrate their second goal during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo players and fans celebrate their second goal during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota United midfielder Jerome Thiesson (3) receives a yellow card during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Minnesota United midfielder Jerome Thiesson (3) receives a yellow card during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) shoots a shot during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) shoots a shot during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo defender Adolfo Machado (3) collides with Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) at the penalty area during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo defender Adolfo Machado (3) collides with Minnesota United forward Christian Ramirez (21) at the penalty area during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) celebrates his score with the fans during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) celebrates his score with the fans during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth (33) misses a shot from Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Minnesota United goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth (33) misses a shot from Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) and Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) battle for control of the ball during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) and Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) battle for control of the ball during the first half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Vicente Sanchez (10) falls onto the ground during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Vicente Sanchez (10) falls onto the ground during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota United midfielder Jerome Thiesson (3) triest to interrupt a pass from Houston Dynamo forward Vicente Sanchez (10) during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Minnesota United midfielder Jerome Thiesson (3) triest to interrupt a pass from Houston Dynamo forward Vicente Sanchez (10) during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera is upset with a call during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera is upset with a call during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota Sam Cronin (19) gets the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Minnesota Sam Cronin (19) gets the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) tries to score during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) tries to score during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) drives down the field during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) drives down the field during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) and Minnesota United defender Brent Kallman (14) battle for a header during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Erick Torres (9) and Minnesota United defender Brent Kallman (14) battle for a header during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United players watch for a corner ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United players watch for a corner ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Romell Quioto (12) and forward Mauro Manotas (19) miss a pass during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Romell Quioto (12) and forward Mauro Manotas (19) miss a pass during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) dribbles the ball down the field during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) dribbles the ball down the field during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) and Minnesota United midfielder Mohammed Saeid (8) battle for a header during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) and Minnesota United midfielder Mohammed Saeid (8) battle for a header during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston.

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark (13) watches Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) and Minnesota United midfielder Mohammed Saeid (8) battle for the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark (13) watches Houston Dynamo forward Alberth Elis (17) and Minnesota United midfielder Mohammed Saeid (8) battle for the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Minnesota United midfielder Johan Venegas (11) and Houston Dynamo defender Kevin Garcia (16) battle for control of the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Minnesota United midfielder Johan Venegas (11) and Houston Dynamo defender Kevin Garcia (16) battle for control of the ball during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Houston Dynamo defender Kevin Garcia (16) battles with Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) along the sideline during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Dynamo defender Kevin Garcia (16) battles with Minnesota United midfielder Kevin Molino (18) along the sideline during the second half of the game at BBVA Compass Stadium Saturday, April 15, 2017, in ... more

Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle

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Dynamo's second-half woes all about missing attitude

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Every soccer team can do better when it comes to crosses, man marking, overlapping runs and finishing. Without executing those things among others, every team might struggle.

The Dynamo are no different, but their problems go beyond anything they can work on during training. They Dynamo are holding themselves back because they can't get it right in their heads.

Six times this season Houston has played well in the first half. In most cases, the first 45 minutes has been exceptional. Too many times, however, the second half has let them down.

It began on March 18 in Portland when they conceded three goals to lose 4-2. It continued April 8 when they conceded two more in a 2-0 loss at New England.

The latest collapse came last weekend at home when they took a two-goal lead to halftime and settled for a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United FC.

The Dynamo have a chance to get it right Saturday when they play host to the San Jose Earthquakes and coach Dominic Kinnear, who led Houston to MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007.

"We are missing character," forward Mauro Manotas said after Saturday's draw. "We are missing attitude, drive, want. That's something we have been working on. That's more psychological than physical."

Last weekend against Minnesota was perhaps the most maddening because once the visitors leveled the game in the 59th minute the Dynamo flipped a switch. Suddenly, they were good again.

They did not score in the final half hour, but at least they were on the front foot and looked like they may score.

When the second half began, they looked too relax and made mistakes they did not make in the first half. The mistakes on Minnesota's first goal both were mental.

Boniek Garcia was marking Christian Ramirez at the far post when Kevin Molina hit a corner kick. Garcia appeared to be looking away when Molino made contact and never had time to react to the ball in his space.

Goalkeeper Joe Willis never came off his line to punch the service that was inside the 6-yard box. After the game, he said he should have done exactly that.

"We just didn't come out concentrated enough," midfielder Eric Alexander said. "We fell back and gave up two quick goals. It was a bummer because it was something we talked about all week being better in the second half. We just didn't follow through."

Coach Wilmer Cabrera followed the game by taking the blame for those missing 15 minutes. He added that he was going to focus on the way the team played over the last 30 minutes because that's the way he wants the Dynamo to play the rest of the season.

The Dynamo have 28 out of 34 games remaining so there is plenty of time to fix the second-half issues. If it does not happen soon, however, it could become a trend that costs them a chance to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four years.

"We're still early in the season. We'll get it right," defender Jalil Anibaba said. "It is just a matter of staying positive and remaining critical in ourselves. All of us need to understand what we need to do better."